Integration and Synthesis: Teaching the Parts in Anticipation of the Whole

2025/09/18 by Mehdi Ghiai, Liane Hancock
#architecture #building systems #integrated design #teaching pedagogy

paper · doi:10.7275/btes.3385

Abstract

This paper presents two faculty members' different methods for teaching an advanced building systems course at University of Louisiana at Lafayette in our graduate program. In each case, the faculty member sought to balance analysis empirically and graphically represented through spatial coordination of systems related to design decisions. Projects included focusing upon full consideration of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing in connection to the development of interior spaces, consideration of envelope design acknowledging different environmental conditions due to orientation, focus upon core and plenum, selection of building envelope based upon environmental behavior, and finally analysis of design decisions using digital evaluation tools.

Related

• The Kind of Problem Technology Is: A Case for Integrated Models of Architectural Technologies Education
• Integrative Design and the Problem of Fragmented Knowledge
• 1 to 1: Human Experience and the Process of Making Buildings
• Lessons from an Integrated Design Course
• From Integration to Embodiment: An Evolving Approach to Teaching Design and Building Technology